What Bilda does

Studieförbundet Bilda (Bilda) is one of Sweden's eight state-supported study associations (studieförbund) operating within the Swedish folkbildning (popular adult education) tradition. Founded by a coalition of Christian church and religious organizations, the non-profit association offers study circles, courses, and cultural programs across Sweden with a Christian worldview foundation. Its audiences span the general public, member church congregations (Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant), newly arrived immigrants and asylum seekers, youth, municipalities, and civil society organizations. Distribution runs through six regional offices (Bilda Nord, Mitt, Öst, Svealand, Sydöst, Sydväst), a national headquarters in Stockholm/Alvik, Bromma, and the Swedish Christian Study Centre (SCSC) in Jerusalem's Old City (established 1991), which delivers study trips, lectures, and interfaith dialogue programming.

Name

Bilda

Legal name

Studieförbundet Bilda

Website

https://bilda.nu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Studieförbundet Bilda is a Swedish non-profit study association and one of eight state-supported folkbildning organizations, offering study circles, courses, and cultural programs with a Christian worldview foundation across Sweden and via its Jerusalem study centre.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult Education and Folkbildning (Popular Adult Education)

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (813110), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Faith-Based & Mission Service Programs (EDAIAGAI)

Keywords

• Adult education services
• Study circle programs
• Folk high school education
• Cultural event programming
• Integration language training

Headquarters

HQ city

Stockholm

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Participant Course Fees: Bilda charges course fees to participants for study circles, courses, and cultural programs. Fees are listed on www.bilda.nu and in confirmation emails. Payment is invoiced and due within 30 days of invoice date.
2. State Subsidy via Folkbildningsrådet: Bilda receives state support (statsbidrag) distributed by Folkbildningsrådet (the Swedish National Council of Adult Education) based on reported participation in study circles and cultural programs. This is a primary funding stream governed by Förordning (2015:218) om statsbidrag till folkbildningen. Bilda is required to submit attendance records as verification for funding.
3. Project Grants (AMIF and Others): Bilda receives project-based grants from government funds such as the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). For example, Bilda Svealand was granted 16 million SEK in 2025 from AMIF for the three-year 'Delaktiga familjer' project targeting third-country nationals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Studieförbundet Bilda is one of Sweden's eight state-recognized study associations (studieförbund) operating under the folkbildning tradition, offering popular adult education through study circles, courses, and cultural programs. Its programming centers on faith, religion, culture, dialogue, societal and existential issues, delivered through member churches, regional offices, and venues across Sweden. The organization also operates the Swedish Christian Study Centre (SCSC) in Jerusalem and delivers specialized programs including Swedish language training for asylum seekers excluded from SFI, work preparation programs, and leadership training for circle leaders.

Product overview

Bilda is a Swedish study association (studieförbund) offering folkbildning (popular adult education) through study circles, courses, and cultural programs. The organization operates primarily through Bildas e-tjänst for digital reporting, and offers specialized programs including Trafikstart (driving theory preparation), Vårdstart (healthcare work preparation), and Vi sjunger hjärna (music for dementia care). Their Swedish Christian Study Centre in Jerusalem supports international educational activities. Services are provided across six regional branches with support from a national office in Stockholm.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Study Circles and Events (Studiecirklar och arrangemang) Bilda's core educational offering consisting of study circles, courses, and cultural programs covering topics such as faith, language learning, music, crafts, and societal issues. Open to all adults in Sweden regardless of background, delivered through member church organizations, regional offices, and community venues.
• Trafikstart (Traffic Start) Study circles preparing participants for Swedish driving school by providing knowledge in traffic rules and the Swedish language. Delivered in Swedish and Arabic (Trafikstart på arabiska) to reach immigrants and new Swedish speakers.
• Vårdstart (Healthcare Start) Work-preparatory study circle providing an introduction to Swedish elderly care, aimed at people far from the labor market who want to enter the healthcare workforce.
• Swedish Christian Study Centre (SCSC) in Jerusalem Bilda's study center located near Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem's Old City, offering lectures, study circles, study trips, and webinars about Christian roots, interfaith dialogue, and human rights. Includes a library, wireless internet, and terrace, and serves as a meeting place for Swedish study groups, volunteers, and tourists.
• Vi sjunger hjärna (We Sing Brain) A concept developed by Bilda using music to create safety, joy, and new encounters for people with dementia, delivered as study circles and programs in collaboration with care settings.
• Möten i Jerusalem (Meetings in Jerusalem) Competence area organizing lectures, study circles, study trips, and webinars about Christian church roots, interfaith meetings, human rights, and international humanitarian law. Operated by Bilda Sydväst in coordination with the Swedish Christian Study Centre in Jerusalem.
• Swedish Language Training Circles Various study circles helping participants practice and improve their Swedish language skills, including summer Swedish training, language meetups with Caritas Ung, and Trafikstart, often targeted at newly arrived immigrants and asylum seekers not eligible for SFI.
• Hållbar hälsa (Sustainable Health) A conference concept developed with Orthodox church families in Sweden, creating meeting places that promote both physical health and community connection through folkbildning.
• Cirkelledarutbildning (Circle Leader Training) Training programs for study circle leaders including basic education (grundutbildning), continuing education, leadership development, and board work training, delivered to volunteer circle leaders across Sweden.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 800 people attended three inspiration evenings organized by Bilda Svealand in 2025, highlighting strong community engagement.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Folkbildningsrådet (Swedish National Council of Adult Education)coreOthersFolkbildningsrådet is the government body that administers state subsidies (statsbidrag) to Sweden's study associations including Bilda. Bilda receives funding based on documented participation in study circles and cultural programs, per Förordning (2015:218) om statsbidrag till folkbildningen. Bilda submits attendance records and participant data to Folkbildningsrådet as required for funding verification.
• Swedish Christian Council (Sveriges kristna råd)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSveriges kristna råd (Swedish Christian Council) is the governing body for the ecumenical accompaniment program (Följeslagarprogrammet) in which Bilda participates. The program sends international volunteers to Palestine and Israel to provide protective presence and support peace efforts. Bilda helps recruit volunteers in Sweden and arrange visits from accompaniers to churches.
• Kristna fredsrörelsen (Christian Peace Movement)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKristna fredsrörelsen collaborated with Bilda on a study circle about conscription, conscientious objection, and the church's role. The movement contributed perspectives on non-violence as a practical method and international peace work, providing content for one of the circle's sessions.
• Caritas UngminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCaritas Ung collaborates with Bilda Göteborg to host language meetups (Språkträff med Caritas Ung) for SFI students and those wanting extra support in Swedish language development, held at Kristus Konungens katolska församling in Göteborg.
• Askersunds kommunminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAskersunds kommun collaborates with Bilda on the 'Alla vägar bär till jobbet' project, which teaches Swedish adapted to different work areas to complement other integration programs.
• Postkodlotteriets Stiftelse (Postcode Lottery Foundation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPostkodlotteriets Stiftelse funds the project 'Föräldrar och barn tillsammans mot våld och kriminalitet' (Parents and children together against violence and crime) through its 'För ungas framtid' (For Youth's Future) initiative, implemented in collaboration with Bilda.
• Neighbourhood (organization, Västerås)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNeighbourhood collaborates with Bilda in Västerås on tutoring, volunteering, and mentorship programs for youth, providing support and after-school learning assistance to young people in the community.
• Hela Människan (Nora)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHela Människan in Nora collaborates with Bilda and local municipalities and congregations to create meeting places that counteract loneliness and build community, through study circles and social activities.
• SPF Seniorerna (Swedish Senior Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPF Seniorerna members participate in Bilda's study circles and activities. One member, Ulla Darvall, has been an active participant and shared her experience as an example of folkbildning's impact on seniors.
• Kalmar StadsbibliotekminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKalmar Stadsbibliotek collaborated with Bilda to create book circle lending kits ('bokcirkelkassar') for the 'Gloria – I rasismens skugga' book circle, making the book accessible to library patrons.
• Member Orthodox and Catholic Church OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilda's member organizations include Syrian Orthodox, Eritrean Orthodox, Coptic, Catholic, and other Christian congregations. These organizations host Bilda study circles, refer participants, and collaborate on youth leadership programs, scout activities, and cultural events. Key organizations include S:t Afrem Syrisk Ortodoxa kyrka, S:t Jakob Syrisk Ortodoxa kyrka, S:t Maria kyrka, and others.
• Swedish Churches and EqumeniakyrkancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEqumeniakyrkan and other Swedish church congregations serve as Bilda member organizations and host venues for study circles and cultural programs. They refer congregation members to Bilda and collaborate on events such as the Fagerås Gospel Festival.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Studieförbundet Vuxenskolan (SV): One of Sweden's 8 study associations, focused on adult education, study circles, and cultural activities funded via Folkbildningsr\u00e5det. Largest of the study associations and a direct competitor for participation-hours-based state subsidies.
• Sensus Studieförbund: Another of Sweden's 8 state-recognized study associations, delivering folkbildning through study circles and cultural programs. Direct peer competing for the same Folkbildningsr\u00e5det subsidies, with a broader secular and multi-affiliation profile rather than a faith-based one.
• Folkuniversitetet: One of Sweden's 8 study associations with roots in university-linked adult education, offering courses and study circles. Direct peer competing for Folkbildningsr\u00e5det funding, with a more academic-orientated profile.
• Medborgarskolan: One of Sweden's 8 study associations offering folkbildning courses, study circles, and cultural events with state subsidy funding. Direct competitor to Bilda for participation hours and the same end-segments.
• Studiefrämjandet: One of Sweden's 8 government-recognized study associations, also operating as a non-profit offering study circles, courses, and cultural programs funded through Folkbildningsr\u00e5det. Direct competitor for the same state-subsidy pool and end-user segments, though with a different ideological orientation (environmental/green profile).
• NBV (Nykt\u00e6rhetsr\u00f6relsens bildningsverksamhet): One of Sweden's 8 government-recognized study associations with roots in the Swedish temperance movement. Direct peer competing for Folkbildningsr\u00e5det subsidies and offering study circles and cultural programs to similar end-users.
• SISU Idrottsutbildarna: One of Sweden's 8 study associations linked to the sports movement, offering study circles focused on leadership, training, and sports-related education. Direct peer competing for the same state-subsidy pool through Folkbildningsr\u00e5det.
• Studieförbundet Bilda Mitt / Bilda regions: Internal peer — Bilda's own regional entities (Nord, Mitt, Öst, Svealand, Sydöst, Sydväst) operate with semi-independent local programming but share the same funding model and brand. Included for structural comparability within Bilda itself.

Others

• Equmeniakyrkan: One of Bilda's largest member church organizations and a host venue for study circles. Not a peer in the strict competitive sense — rather a customer and distribution partner — but a comparable Swedish faith-based organization with adjacent educational and community programming.
• Folkbildningsr\u00e5det: The Swedish National Council of Adult Education that distributes state subsidies to all 8 study associations including Bilda. Not a competitor but the central funder and regulator governing Bilda's primary revenue stream under F\u00f6rordning (2015:218).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/studieforbundetbilda
• Instagraminstagram.com/studieforbundetbilda

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bilda